Washing machine



March 25 1924. 11,487,907

R. w; YATES WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9999 99999e 9999 QQQQQQQQQ ooooo'oo oo o o 4 ooooooooooooo ooo or oo oooooooooooooooo 6 66 6 666666 6 6@ 66 s 866696 e as as R. w. YATES WASHING MACHINE Manila 25 1924.

Filed Oct. 10. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fatented Mar. 25, 1924,

um srres .QFHCEO RICHARD W. YATES, F KANSAS CITY, MISSGURI.

wasnrne MACHINE.

Application filed October 10, 1921. Serial No. 506,802.

Machines, of which the following is a. complete specification.

The present invention relates to laundry apparatus, and aims to provide an improved washing machine of the rotating cylinder type, with a view to effect-ing certain economies as regards the quantity of washing materals used, the saving of time in the washing operation, as well as obtaining a materially more efficient-washing action. Accordingly, one of the objects in view is to devise" a machine in which a spray of hot steam is trained directly upon the goods being washed in the cylinder, which has the effect of expanding the fiber of the goods, and also effectively dissolves the dirt and greases and thereby facilitates the removal of the latter in the rinsing operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a complete circuit for the water used in the washing operation, together with means whereby an effective circulation of the water may be maintained for both agitating and rinsing the materials being washed, along with suitable provision for draining off the rinse water as often as required.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now be described by reference. to the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of construction which I have devised for embodying the proposed improvements, after which the features of novelty therein will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a central vertical section, illustrating a washing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure .2 is an end elevation ofthe same;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken onthe' line HIHT of Figure 1; and

Figures 4- and 5 are enlarged detail sections taken on the lines IV-IV and VV, respectively, of Figure 1.

Referring now to the said drawings in detaihthese illustrate the improved washing machine construction as comprising an exterior cylindrical stationary shell 7 of any suitable material, andcarried by supporting frames 8 at its opposite ends and also having the usual door 9 for affording access to the interior rotating cylinder 10 which is also provided with a hinged door 11 as shown in Figure 3. The cylinder 10 may be of the usual sheet metal construction, having the rows of perforations 12 for permitting the circulation of the wash water into and out of the cylinder. The interior of the cylinder 10 is also provided with the 1 series of longitudinally arranged bars or slats 14 whichoperate to engage and lift the clothes as the cylinder is rotated, in the usual manner, The opposite ends of the cylinder 10 are carried by rotating spiders or wheels 15 and 16, the peripheries of which are connected by tubular slats 17 arranged in alternating relation to the bars or slats 14, and formed with the inwardly facing steam jet openings 18 (see Figures 1 and 3). The spider or wheel 15" is provided with a trunnion 19 journaled in a bearing 20 at one end of the shell 7, while the spider or-wheel 16 is provided with a hollow trunnion 21 journaled in a bearing 22 at the opposite end of the shell 7 (see Figures 1 and 4). The several spokes 23 of the spider or wheel '16. are hollow for the purpose of forming tubular passages communicating with one end of eachof the hollow slats 17, and the interior of the trunnion 21. The cylinder 10 is adapted to be rotated b means of-any suit-able provision operative y connected to a gear wheel 25 secured to the outer end of the trunnion 21, the interior of which is axially fitted with a steam intake pipe 26 formed with a shoulder 27 (see Figure 4) engaged by the sleeve of a packing gland nut 28 for causing the compression of packing 29 between said shoulder 27 and another shoulder 30 formed on the interior of said trunnion 21. The intake pipe 26 may thus remain in fixed positionwhile permitting the rotation of the trunnion 21, the outer end of said pipe 26 being attached to a manifold 32, to which in turn is connected a steam pipe 33 fitted with a valve 34, and also hot and cold water pipes 36 and 37 respectively, likewise provided with valves 38 and 39 respectively. The manifold casing 32' is also provided with. a pipe 40 communicating with any suitable form of pump- 41 having its shaft 42 fitted with fast and loose pulleys 43 adapted for a belt drive.

The intake pipe 44 of the pump leads from a T tficommunicating with the bottom of the shell 7 said pipe 44 being-provided with valves 46 and 47 on'o pposite sides of said T 45, as shown in Figure 1.

In the operation of the improved construction, the valve 46 is closed and the amount of cold or hot water allowed to enter the washing chamber is regulated by the valves 34 and 39. The circulation of this water, as maintained by the action of the pump 41, increases the agitation of the clothes in' the washer, and as often as advisable the dirty water may be drawn off past the valve 46. It is well known that it is very difficult to completely clean working clothes of an extremely soiled character, such as greasy overalls, where the action of hot water and soap or chemicals is relied upon, but it is found by the present method of training a spray of live steam directly upon the clothes in the cylinder 10 (admitting the steam from the pipe 33 by opening the valve 34), that the fiber of the goods is softened'and expanded and the dirt and grease are likewise so softened and loosened as to be readily dissolved and washed free of the fabric. The action of the steam also has the'effect f promoting the agitation of the contents of the cylinder, and the washing operation is facilitated and quickened by the continuous circulation maintained by the pump, since the rinsing of the clothes is also continuous and clear water may be supplied the washing chamber as often as required by simple manipulation of the necessary valves.

It is thus apparent that I have devised an improved construction which affords a more efficient washing operation, since the use of materials such as soap and chemicals may be reduced to the minimum'and the time required for the washing operation is also shortened.

What I claim is:

A washing machine comprising a stationary washing chamber, a perforated cylinder within said chamber, a series of hollow slats arranged longitudinally of the inner face of said cylinder and provided with a series of inwardly facing jet openings, and a pair of spiders rotatably mounted within said chamber exteriorly of the; end walls of said cylinder and supporting the latter, one of said spiders being hollow and having an axial fluid inlet connection; said slats projecting beyond the end walls of said cylinder and having the passages therethrough inturned at one end for registering with the several arms of said hollow'spider, and the endwalls of said cylinder being formed with peripheral notchesor recesses for accommodating the projecting ends of said slats.

In witness whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

RICHARD w. YATES. 

